You're Thinking About Tomatoes

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by Michael Rosen

The fan-favourite story from celebrated author and former British Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen – now in graphic novel form with full-colour illustrations by Cole Henley. Uh-oh… Frank isn’t doing well at school, and he has just been told off by his head teacher again… He has one last chance to prove all he has to do is follow the rules on his class trip to Chiltern House, complete his worksheet and stay out of trouble. But when a girl steps out of a painting and steals Frank’s worksheet, staying out of trouble is easier said than done. Together, they embark on a perilous adventure to discover the girl’s lost identity, uniting with new friends along the way who show Frank all is not as it seems in this stately home. How did the owners of Chiltern House come to own its priceless treasures? Can the secrets of the past ever really stay hidden? Will Frank’s head teacher stop him and his new friends before they find out the truth? Frank’s class trip is more than he bargained for, but it may just hold the greatest lesson he’ll ever learn.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (It was okay)

That was... confusing.

I didn't realize this was as sequel until I read other reviews but I honestly don't think that is what made it confusing. The story revolves around a kid, Frank, who isn't doing well in school. He goes on a field trip and instead of completing his worksheet, he interacts with paintings, statues, etc. And that's when things make little to no sense.

I get the overall point, I think. It seems to be about colonialism, slavery, etc. But man is it convoluted.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit confusing for an American...

[Katy W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't realised this was a sequel to the Doughnuts book of a similar name until after I'd read this one with my son.
I'd recommend for 7-9 year olds, or younger if reading to.